#25 Missing Missive (The Fool) – Assassin's Creed Shadows

| AC Shadows – Walkthrough | The Shinbakufu – The Fool | Missing Missive (Naoe) "Assassin's Creed Shadows" is an action-adventure stealth game developed by Ubisoft, released on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S, and macOS, with an iPadOS version planned for later. The game is set in feudal Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, starting in 1579, which marks the final stage of the Sengoku period, a time of intense civil war. The story follows two protagonists: Naoe, a fictional shinobi Assassin from Iga Province, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga. Players can switch between these two characters throughout the campaign. Naoe is on a quest to avenge her murdered father, Nagato, while Yasuke's story is intertwined with hers as they navigate the turbulent late Sengoku period. The game features an expansive open world comparable in size to "Assassin's Creed Origins," which evolves with the seasons, affecting gameplay elements such as frozen water in winter and blooming plants in spring. Improvements include the ability to manipulate shadows, use a grappling hook for parkour, and breakable objects in the environment. The "Observe" mode allows players to gather information about targets quickly, and hiding in shadows makes characters invisible to enemies. "Assassin's Creed Shadows" introduces significant changes to its stealth mechanics, emphasizing the use of shadows and noise reduction to evade detection. The game also features romance options for both protagonists, allowing players to experience diverse romantic relationships that evolve over the game's seasons. The game received generally positive reviews for its rich setting and engaging story, although some critics noted that the complexity of historical events and the multitude of names and clans could be overwhelming for non-Japanese players. The game is the first in the series to target the ninth generation of video game consoles, dropping support for the eighth generation.